Concrete-mixer.



c. W. LBVALLBY. CONCRETE MIXER.

APPLIOATIUN FILED JUNE 5,1909.

1,067,41 Patented July 8,1913.

BSHEETS-SHEET l.

lfamey C. W. LEVALLEY.

CONCRETE MIXER.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 5, 1909 Patented July 8, 1913 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. W. LEVALLEY.

CONCRETE MIXER. APPLIOATION FILD JUNE 5,19'09.

Patented July 8, 1913.

3. SHEETS-SHEET 3.

NVE/VTOR GHRISTOPHERW. LEVALLEY, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

CONCRETE-MIXER.

incanti.

Specification of Letters Patent.

IApplication led June 5, 1909. Serial No. 500,349.

Patented July s, i913.

"To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it'known that L vCnais'rorirnn WulmfvALLEY, a citizen of the'United States, :residingat Milwaukee, inthe county of Mil- 5 waukeef'a-nd State of .Wisconsim have-invented `new and useful Improvements in Concrete-Mixr'sof which the following is iffspejciiicatin. y v l A This invention relates to mechanism io adapted to'be used l'in `the mixing .of concreteand whereinis employeda revolving 4w ichthe mixingoperations take place-g'andithas for its object to improve "machines of this character intheparticulars 'hereinafter to'bepointed out. I l "Inftheaccom anying drawings-Figure 1 `isasideelevat1onof a machine embodying myfinvention. IFig'. 2 is-an end View of theV ,same taken romiits-feed or charging end. W14"ig3 is a 4longitudinal sectional view taken through the revolvngmixing drum. Fig. .4 is a face view, from the outside, of the gard plate located at the feed end of thel mixino' cylinder. y Fig. 5 is a similar View to Z5-Fig. fshowing the flange which surrounds -the 'feed o ,ening therein secured in place. Y, lntheA rawingsfQ designates, as a whole, the mixing drum or cylinder, which issupported so as to be rotatable, upon wheels, 3,

.30 3', mounted on shafts 18 in a framed. `This frame maybeof any preferred construction, t eitherI portable or stationary, that illustrated being of the former type and mounted upon wheels 5. `'The `drum receives its fmo'tion from a driven shaft 6 with which it `is connected by a sprocket chain 7 or other lmeans of power transmission, the .chain engagingwithy a sprocket wheel or rim 8 on thedrum. ifThe drum is formed with central or axialopenings, that through which the Vmaterialis charged or fed into the cylinder being-designated `9, and one through Whichthe mixed concrete is discharged bei-n designated -.1,0.' .The interior of the cyler Yis provided with mixing flights not shown in thel drawings, of any usual or prejferred construction and so disposed' that they carry upward and then let fall the material' within the cylinder, and at the same 550 `time advance it longitudinally through the machine.

The'drum or mixing cylinder is preferfably formed of two parts or sections, 11, 13. hese' may be made of cast metal and each' is about half thclength of the entire cylinder and 1s formed at its -inner end with an out- .turncdflange 17. These flanges are brought together Lface to face and united -by bolts or rivets. The segments whichlconstitute the sprocket rimf-S are preferably placed against the outer'face of one ofthe flanges 1'7 and are united thereto :by the bolts or rivets passingl through thevflanges and cm*- `ployed for unitmgthe sections of the drum.

Tliisihasybeen -fonnd1to be avery desirable construction as 4lt'permits the drum sections '11, 13,:'to be easily separated, thus lopening thedrum on a central transverse plane'which A1s sometlmesdesirable, as when,

.other-remains 1n workable condition and the easyr separation of theparts as described7 permits the removal of the worn or broken section and the 'substitution of a new one without requiring an entirely new drum toy be furnished. Should the sprocket rim or any section thereof become worn or broken, itcan beeasily replaced by ainew one, as will be readily understood. The supporting wheels on which the drum rests engage with tracks 16, whiclrarev preferably formed integral with the drumsections `'and are located near the respective ends thereof. An outward extending flange 16 is located along the outer edge ofeach track and serves ,b'othftovguide the drum. -in its movementsfand also as a guard to prevent concrete from getting upon the track,.these flanges being located between the tracks and the endwalls, 14,15, .of the drum, in which are formed respectively the discharge .and feed openings. .The rear or discharge end section 13 ispreferably larger in diameter ythan the section atthe other .end of the machine, as thematerials withinthe drum are gradually fed toward this section and it `is often desirable that they should remain `thereinffor a time tolbe yrepeatedly mixed and remixed. 4Accordingly the wheel, B',

thatengages 'with the track on the section 13 is .of .smaller ldiameter than the wheel, 3,

that enga es with the other track, and the saidwhee s are loosely .mounted upon' the Ishafts .18 .that support them 'so that they may turn independently of each other, since position.

by reason of their difference in size they do not revolve 1n unison.

In connection with the mixing apparatus 'disclosed I employ a loader adapted to revtherein from wheel barrows or otherwise deosited. The loader is provided with a pivoted bail 22, the cross bar of which carries a sheave or pulley 23, around which passes the'rope or cable, 24,v by means of which the movements of the loader are controlled.

The apparatus is preferably provided with a framework forsupporting the loader and the stationary sheaves with which the cable 24 engages'. This framework is constructed as follows: 25, 25 designate a pair of up rights supported at the front end of the apparatus adjacent to the feed opening into the drum, one upright being on either' side of the latter. Another pair of uprights 26,

26, preferably of less height and located closer together than the uprights 25, are mounted near the rear end of the drum.

vThe front uprights are united and braced by intermediate Across pieces, 28, and top cross pieces, 29. The front and rear uprights 'are united at their upper ends by a pair of tie pieces,o27, 27, which rest upon and are secured to the top cross pieces, 29, and, extending beyond the latter, constitute an overhanging support for the head sheave, 30. .A The intermediate guiding sheave 31, between the head sheave and the winding drum, 32, for the cable, is preferably supported by a cross pieceextending between the tie bars 27. which may be employed when circumstances seem to warrant their use.

34 is a shaft seated in bearings carried respectively by the uprights 25 and the spout portion of the loader, 19, and constituting a pivotal connection between the loader and the framework of. the mixing apparatus.

In Fig. 1 the loader'is represented in full lines as occupying theposition to receive a charge of material, it resting firmly upon the surface on which rests the entire apparatus. When it is desired to discharge the contents of the loader into 'the drum the cable is wound upon Athe drum 32, lifting the loader into the position represented in dotted lines in Fig. 1, when itwill discharge through 33, 33 are other braces the feed opening into the mixing d rum. l

This discharge having been effected, the loader can be returned to its normal position by allowing the cable to unwind and the loader to return, swinging about the sha-ft 34 in so doing, to the position represented in full lines in Fig. 1. l

The front wall 15 of the mixing drum is provided with an outward extending flange 15 flaring toward the interior of the drum and surrounding the feed opening 9. guard plate -3'7 is interposed between the mixing cylinder and the loader 19. It is provided with flanges 39 by which itis secured to the uprights 25, in position close to the front end of the.cylin'der. An opening 38 through the plate is situated opposite the feed opening 9 into the drum and surrounding this opening 38, and carried by the guard plate, is a flange that passes through the opening 9, and extends for a short distance into the cylinder or drum. The flange or flaring edge 15 of the cylinder surrounding the feed opening runs close to theA outer face of the said flange carried by the plate 37 and forms in connection therewith a close joint that prevents the materials within the drum from escaping` at thelfeed end of the machine. This stationary flange is preferably formed of two parts bolted or riveted to the inner face of the plate, the upper part being designated 40 and the lower one 41. The latter has a-portion, 42, that extends outward from the face of the'plate 37, so as to constitute a short trough leading to the openings 38 and 9, into which the loader may discharge when lifted to dumping position, and upon which the edge of its spout section' 21 may rest, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The sections of the flange carried by the stationary guard plate are preferably bol-ted thereto or otherwise attached so' as to be removable, in. order that they may be separated' toiallow the plate to be removed when access to the'interior of 'the drum is desirable, the making of the flange in two separate parts facilitating this.

It will be seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 5 that the section 40 of the flange, which' sur rounds the upper portion or segment of the opening 38, inclines inwardly and downwardly toward the interior of the mixing drum; and that'the section 4l, that lies in the lower segment or portion of the said opening and constitutes the short chute-or trough as described, also extends downwardly and inwardly toward the interior of the drum. This yarrangement not only produces the close running joint already re` ferred to, which of itself to a large degree prevent-s the escape of material from the interior of the drum out through the feed opening thereof, but also insures that such material as may peradventure splash or fly outwardly and escape beyond the limits of the feed opening intothe drum shall be, by such flange members, directed backwardly into the drum. It will be understood that the'splasliing andtlying action of the imite- Arial principally takesplace when the drum `-is being charged and that at Asuch time the cylinder at its front end.

`being insured by properly shaping and loeating the plate and loader so that they register as described when the charging position is assumed by the loader.

43 represents the Water pipe leadingr from the ta'nk 44 and opening into the mixing It passes through the stationary plate 37 at a point below the vfeed chute 42 and is located under the loader.

There are several advantages incident to this arrangement; the pipe thus located dees not interfere with the free movements of the' loader, and, by discharging at the point indicated, all danger of the loader becoming wet is removed.

45 is an opening formedinthe stationary guard plate 37 inv which the discharge connection of the water pipe 43 is seated, the

, lower section 41 of the stationary flange being also shaped to permit 'the passage of this connection.

Therear end wall of thecylinder is Vformed with a flange 14', surrounding the discharge opening 10, and which is preferably curved on its inner surface, as indicated in Fig. 3, the curve being substantially con centric with the axis of the swinging section of the discharge chute, to be described. The end Wall 14 where the flange 14` -thereof joins with the main section is formed on the inside into a sharp edge 4'6 so disposed that the mixed concrete Which may be thrown against'the inner surface of the end wall will freely drip from this edge instead of tending to run down the inner curved face of the flange 14.`

At the discharge end of the machine is located a chute through Which. the mixed concrete may be delivered lout of the ma chine. This discharge'chute consists of a stationary section 47 supported by the up f rights 26 and a pivoted ipo-rtion 48. This feature of the machine is the basis of claimsin my pending applicationappearing 461,891 and need not therefore be herein described in detail. Suffice it to say, the sec- Ation 48 is pivotally connected with the sta tionary section 47 and is adapted to be upper segment of the opening.

Vand steadied by braces 56.

moved into `the position indicated in .full lines in Fig. 3 when the material is being mixed within the drum, the inner pivoted section then occupying a position above the inner cnd ol the stationary chute section 47 and serving as a cover or guard therefor as` .indicated infull lines liig. 3 te prevent the in eifel-t, a continuation ot' the chiite 47 and receives the material from the drum and delivers it to the section 47 by which it is carried out of the machine. The inner or free edge of the -pivoted swinging section 48 is adapted to move close to the curved inner face ot' the flange 14 surrounding the dis iliarge opening,and eti'ectually closes the It also serves, as it is swung from one position to another, to Vremove any material which might tend to accumulate upon the said inner curved surface.

49indicates a flange secured to lthestationary section ofi the discharge chute and lying just inside the opening 10 through the' rear end wall of the revolving drum. This lflange or collar is substantially. circular in outline, 'with the upper segment of the circle removed, and is arranged to close the open ing between the feed chute or spoilt and the' end wall of the drinn, except at the top, the flange 14 of the drinn extending just outside o'f this collar and movinnr close thereto.

The discharge chiite may lie arranged to deliver directly upon the ground, or into wheel bai-rows, or to a collecting hopper,'or into any other receptacle provided therefor'. I have illustrated it as delivering to a bucket 50 supported by a cable 51 from a trolley 52 i running upon the jib or track arm 53 of a swinging crane. crane is stepped in a bracket 55 suitably supported by the uprights 26 and is supported A guy rope 4or cable or brace 57 extending between the upper end of the pivot post 54 and the end of the jib, supports and steadies the latter in a horizontal position. 4 Suitable means for operating the cable 51 for raising and lowering the bucket are rovided, but are not illus'- trated as they orm no part of the present invention. By means of the crane attachment described, ythe mixed concrete can be.

delivered at all points over qiiitean extend` The vertical post of the VIl() cylinder, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a revolving cylin der having lan axial feed opening at one end, a stationary guard plate at the feed end of the cylinder having through it an opening approximately co-extensive with the feed opening of the cylinder and registering therewith, the plate carrying a flange section inclining inwardly and downwardly and overlapping the edge of the upper segment of the opening into the drum and constituting with such edge a close running joint, and a short downwardly and inwardly inclined chute carried by the plate and locatedin the lower segment of the opening therethrough, the chute extending through the opening into the cylinder, substantially as described.

3. The combination of' a revolvingjcylinder having an axial feed opening at one end, a stationary upright plate supported close-to the feed end of the cylinder and having an opening through it registering with the feed opening of the cylinder, a chute carried by the plate and located in the lower portion of the opening therein, the chute extending into the cylinder, and a movable loader arranged to charge the cylinder, having an edge arranged to rest upon the said chute when the loader is brought into charging position, the

said stationary plate being arranged to close the end of the loader whenit assumes Y'said charging position, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a rotary cylinder having an axial feed opening at one end, a stationary guard plate supported close to the feed end of the cylinder and having an open-1 ing through it registering with the feed opening into the cylinder, and a flange carried by the said guard plate formed of two sections, one surrounding the upper segment of the opening in the guard plate and the other surrounding the lower segment thereof, and each section inclining inwardly and downwardly toward the interior of the cylinder and together constituting with the edge of the feed opening into the cylinder a close running joint.

5. The combination with a revolving cylinder having an axialfeed opening at one end, of a stationary upright guard plate supported close to the feed end'ofthe cylinder and having `an opening through it opposite the said feed opening, a chute carried by the plate and located in the lower portion of the opening therein, the chute extending into the cylinder, a movable loader arranged to charge the'cylinder having an edge adapted to rest upon the chutewhen the loader is brought into lcharging position, anda feed water pipe arranged to deliver into the cylinder below the said chute, the chute extending inwardly vbeyond the end of the Water pipe and being arranged to carry the material delivered by the loader across the open end of the water pipe.

CHRISTOPHER W. LEVALLEY.l Witnesses: j

.W. C. SARGENT,

VLASTA IRMA KLOFAUDA. 

